ODNR Fishing Report 10/05/2004: OH

Article Posted: October 05, 2004

** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entireseason. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for trout and salmonon Lake Erie and its tributaries is 2, beginning September 1 through May 15,2005. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.**

Surface temperatures range from 60 to 66 degrees.

Western Basin

Recent winds have greatly reduced water clarity in the western basin of LakeErie. Angling effort was very low over the past week.

WalleyeMost walleye fishing effort has shifted to the sandbar area between Huronand Avon. As water temperatures drop shallow nearshore areas and reefsaround the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island will produce walleye. Trollcrankbaits or spoons during low light periods for best results.

Yellow PerchThe best fishing has been from W of Rattlesnake Island N to the US/Canadaborder, near the Marblehead lighthouse, E of Kelleys Island, and near "C"can of the US/Canada border NE of Kelleys Island. Fish just off the bottomusing perch spreaders tipped with shiners.

Smallmouth BassThe best smallmouth bass fishing has been on the reefs of the Camp Perryfiring range, around the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and Sandusky Bay. Usetube jigs, drop shot rigs with goby imitations, soft craws or shiners forbest results.

Central Basin

WalleyeThe best walleye fishing has been N of the sandbar, W of the N end of thesandbar, around Ruggles reef between Huron and Vermilion, and 6 to 7 miles Nof Ashtabula in 68 feet of water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses usingdivers or downriggers and also trolling crankbaits have produced the bestcatches.

Yellow PerchYellow perch fishing has been best 2 miles NE of Lorain, E of the middle ofthe sandbar, 1 to 2 miles N of Vermilion, 3 miles NW of Fairport Harbor in50 to 55 feet of water, 4 to 5 miles N of Cleveland and Eastlake in 42 to 56feet of water, and 4 to 5 miles N of Ashtabula in 60 to 65 feet of water. Aperch spreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up.

SteelheadSteelhead are present in most of the Lake Erie tributaries. Low waterlevels in the rivers could make fishing conditions tough. Concentrate onareas with the deepest water and fish during low light periods. Spawn bagsor jigs tipped with maggots will produce the best results.